Donations keep transitional living residents housed

Sunday

Oct 21, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 21, 2012 at 2:15 AM

An outpouring of donations from Jackson County residents to Community Works' transitional living program will allow working young people struggling to make ends meet to remain in their homes, officials said.

By chris conrad

An outpouring of donations from Jackson County residents to Community Works' transitional living program will allow working young people struggling to make ends meet to remain in their homes, officials said.

A tie-up in federal funding would have put 13 young people out of their apartments, as Community Works could no longer afford to subsidize their homes.

The program serves young people, including single parents, who kept a steady job or were attending school.

"Even though federal funds have been cut, these youth are able stay in their jobs and continue going to school without disruption," according to Ginger Lee, CEO of Community Works. "It was great to be reaffirmed how valued Community Works and the youth are to the community."

According to Lee, community members contributed more than $10,000 to an account opened by Community Works.

In addition, the Chaney Family Foundation and rental assistance funds from ACCESS combined to bank another $5,000.

The transitional living program provides rent subsidies from between $400 to $700 per month to the residents.

The program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

This federal agency has seen cutbacks of its own in recent years and no longer has adequate staffing to keep local organizations such as Community Works informed of grant awards.

Community Works had enough money to continue providing rent help to five people. That left no money for 13 who are housed in apartments throughout Medford and Jackson County.

They will now be able to remain in their homes, Lee said.

An account has been established at People's Bank branches. Community members who want to help by making deposits to Community Works can do so at any time.

Make checks payable to Community Works TLP Account. The funds will go toward the rent subsidies.